FPU at a Glance | Fresno Pacific University

Quick Facts

Sunbird Student Body Statistics

Rich and engaging history dating back to 1944
A proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) where Hispanic and first-generation students graduate at the same rate as students overall
Highest four-year graduation rate in the region
Ranked in the top tier in our category by U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly and Money
Ranked high among colleges that help their graduates by The Wall Street Journal and U.S. News
Considered a best value by U.S. News and Washington Monthly

All programs emphasize values, ethics and character development
Pastors, biblical scholars and marriage and family therapists prepared for service through the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary
Community outreach efforts facilitated through the Center for Community Transformation
Faculty and staff demonstrate a personal commitment to Christ

Nearly 3,000 traditional-age undergraduate, adult degree completion and graduate students
Most students are the first in their families to attend college
More than 8,000 education and business professionals taking continuing education courses
Main campus in Southeast Fresno with regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced
Known for Sunbird Athletic teams that compete in 16 sports and have won 15 national championships

Four-year graduation guarantee for traditional undergraduates
Education graduates are sought out by school districts as first-choice teachers
Students prepared for careers in business, criminology, medicine, nursing, psychology, science, social work and other professional fields
High percentage of internships turn into jobs

Places FPU at number 78 on its 2024 Best U.S. Colleges list. Among Christian schools, the university’s overall score is second in California and in the top 10 nationally.
WSJ ranks student outcomes ahead of institutional wealth and national reputation, highlighting the value each school provides to its students. The overall score is broken into four subcategories:
- Social Mobility—FPU number 1
  Schools that accept a high proportion of students from lower-income families, maintain high graduation rates and minimize the costs of attending.
- Student Experience—FPU number 42
  Students have the best experience according to surveys of students and graduates.
- Salary Impact—FPU number 128
  Schools are listed by how graduates’ salaries relates to the actual cost of attendance.

Lists FPU number 48 nationally in its Master’s University category and number 18 in its Western category as a Best Bang for the Buck school.
WM evaluates universities according to the public good in the areas of social mobility, research and community and national service. The Best Bang for the Buck list uses social mobility to rank schools that “help non-wealthy students obtain marketable degrees at affordable prices,” according to its college guide website.

Ranks Fresno Pacific University number 41 overall in the Master’s Universities—West category. Among these schools FPU is fourth in social mobility and number 12 among best values.

Gave FPU 4.5 stars in its rating system, which ranges from 2.5-5. For its Best Colleges. Ranked schools were judged in three categories:
Quality of education—graduation rates, instructor access and outcomes for Pell Grant recipients.
Affordability—net price of a degree, net price paid, debt and ability to repay debt.
Outcomes—earnings 10 years after college entry and economic mobility.

More than 95% of FPU students come from California.
FPU has the region’s highest graduation rates, with 66% of students completing their degree in four years and 67% in six years. The national four-year average is 42%, and the national six-year rate is 65%.
Degree completion students live and work near the campus where they attend classes, and stay in and serve the region, entering or advancing in their profession and contributing more to their local communities.

59% of our traditional undergraduate students are the first in their families to attend college or university.
Our retention rate of undergraduate students from first year to second is 71% overall. *
FPU is a Hispanic serving institution with 59% of our students identifying as Hispanic.*
Both first-generation and Hispanic students graduate at the same rate as students overall.

A two-year graduation guarantee is available to qualified transfer students.
Special academic scholarships are offered to transfers.
Enrollment Express events offer community college students the chance to register for FPU in one day and at one place.
The university has built partnerships with area community colleges to welcome their students.

52% of undergraduates come from families who earn $40,000 or less annually.
The median debt among undergraduates is $23,146, well under the national average of $37,172.*
Our student default rate is 4%; less than the national average of 10.8%.
87% of our students—94% of undergraduates—receive financial aid.
For an average actual cost, after public and private financial aid, of $11,531 per year, attendees earn an average of $55,044 within 10 years. (Better than the midpoint annual cost of $18,902 and midpoint earnings of $50,391.)*